Check protector



June 12, 1951 wfg RENNE 2,556,442

CHECK PROTECTOR Filed March 27, 1947 gsgrg Ma. MAI?. I7l 1947/ '42.222

NATIUNAL BH NK f f INVENToR, .7W/7729171 )Pa/Wm fifa/Way.

Patented June 12, 1951 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,556,442 v `CHECK PROTECTOR Y lwilliam c. Reime, Kansas city, Mo. Application March 27, 1947, Serial No. 737,504

(el. 10i- 26) 1 Claim.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in a check protector and has particular reference to a device to be attached to any check book and adapted to emboss or perforate the surface of a check to prevent alteration and forgery of the names or amounts written on the check.

The principal object of the present invention is the provision of a sheet hingeably fastened to a check book at the bound edge thereof and extending approximately one-half of the length of the check, said sheet having embossing surfaces fixed in both sides thereof in such a manner that the check may be folded over said iiap and brought into intimate contact with said embossing surfaces by finger pressure.

Another object is the provision of a check protector of the class described having an embossing sheet composed of blotting paper except at the embossing areas, whereby a freshly written check may be blotted.

Other objects are simplicity and economy of construction, ease of operation, and adaptability by lack of bulk or weight to be carried conveniently in the pocket.

With these objects in view, as well as other objects which will appear during the course of the specification, reference will now be had to the drawing, wherein:

Figure 1 is a face view of an extended check book, showing a check protector embodying the present invention attached thereto.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged edge View of the check book removed from its cover, with a check protector attached thereto.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged section of the check protector taken on line III-III of Figure l.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged section of the check protector taken on line IV-IV of Figure 1.

Fig. 5 is a face View of a check which has been embossed by the check protector.

Fig. 6 is an edge View of a check book showing a check in operative relation to the check protector.

Like reference numerals apply to similar parts throughout the several views, and the numeral Il) applies to a check book of the ordinary pocket size. In the drawing, the check book shown is bound along one edge and is provided with a relatively stiff flap I2 extending from said bound edge to engage in a pocket I3 provided therefor in cover I 4, thereby retaining said check book in said cover.

A double sheet of blotting paper I6 of substantially equal width with the check book, is fixed along the bound edge of the check book by any suitable means, such as by inserting the end I8 of sheet I6 into the pocket I3 of cover I4 with flap I2, or by pasting end I8 of sheet I6 to the back of check book II) adjacent the bound edge thereof. Sheet I6 is then bent around the end of the check book, and extended along the upper surface of the book for approximately one-half of the length of the checks, as shown in Figure 2. It is obvious that the sheet may be folded upwardly away from the check book to permit writing of the checks and making entries on the stubs.

It is apparent that whenever the top check 20 of check book I0 is folded over blotter sheet I6 as shown in Figure 6, the outer half of the writing surface of the check may be brought into contact with the upper surface of said blotter sheet. A window is cut in the adjacent thickness of sheet I6 corresponding with any area of check 20 which it may be desired to emboss. For example, if it is desired to emboss the written amount, it is necessary to cut a window 22 through both thicknesses of sheet I6, since that portion of the check contacts both sides of sheet I6. A thin plate 24 of metal or other material covers said window, the edge portions of said metal plate being glued or otherwise fixed between the two thicknesses of blotter sheet I6 adjacent said window. A plurality of embossing points 26 are struck from metal plate '24 to project outwardly therefrom in both directions.

If it is desired to emboss the area of check 20 on which the amount is written in numerals, it is necessary to cut a window 28 only in the upper thickness of blotter sheet I6, since that portion of the check contacts only the upper surface of said sheet. A metal plate 3i) is fixed in said window, and embossing points 32 are struck therefrom to extend upwardly through said window. In a similar manner, other metal embossing plates may be fixed in blotter sheet I6 to emboss any desired portion of the check.

In operation, sheet I6 is folded up and out of the way while the check 20 is written. After the check has been written, sheet-I6 is folded down into contact with the check, and the outer half of the check is folded over sheet I6. Check 2i] and sheet I 6 are then both folded upwardly from the check book Il), as shown in Figure 6. The operator then clamps the check against the opposite sides of sheet I6 by a pinching pressure with his fingers, and moves his fingers over the embossing plates 24 and 38, thus causing points 26 and 32 to perforate or emboss the desired areas of the check to prevent alteration of the check without detection.

Features of this check protector are that it may be left attached to a check book at all times, does not interfere with the usual method of folding the check book in half and mounting it in a cover, that it has almost no bulk or Weight, and that it is extremely simple and inexpensive to manufacture.

What I claim as new and desire to cover by Letters Patent, is:

A check protector comprising a tWo ply sheet of blotting paper adapted to be foldably attached to a check book along one end thereof and to extend over substantially one-half of said check book, said plys having matching Windows formed therein and a thin plate carried between the plys of said sheet and having sharpened points 4 extending outwardly from both sides thereof through said windows.

WILLIAM C RENNE.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 920,872 Huntoon et a1 May 4, 1909 970,341 Kucera Sept. 13, 1910 1,579,758 Fields Apr. 6, 1926 1,682,779 Fields Sept. 4, 1928 1,825,153 McCann Sept. 29, 1931 1,842,907 Lawhorn Jan. 26, 1932 1,865,071 Anderson June 28, 1932 

